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NZ Citizenship by Grant: Fees, Requirements and Timeframes

From 28 August 2026 the Department of Internal Affairs charges NZD 641 for an adult (16 and over) and NZD 320 for a child to apply for citizenship by grant. Govt.nz lists three presence rules, an English requirement and a character requirement, and says 90% of applicants receive an outcome within 4 months of applying.

Citizenship by grant is how a person who is not a New Zealand citizen by birth or descent becomes one after living in New Zealand as a resident. The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) runs it, and DIA publishes the rules on Govt.nz. This guide sets out those rules as they stood on 9 October 2026: the fees that apply from 28 August 2026, the three presence rules, the English and character requirements, the documents, how to apply, how long DIA says it takes, and what happens at the ceremony.

It describes the published rules. It does not say whether any reader meets them, and it does not suggest how anyone should answer a question on the form. Applying the rules to one person's own travel dates, convictions or visa history is a different task from explaining them. DIA runs a self-check tool for a first indication, and DIA itself says: "The result of your self-check is only an indicator."

One point shapes everything below. Govt.nz warns that "Applications that do not meet requirements are unlikely to be approved." The requirements are therefore worth reading in full before any fee is paid, and DIA does not return the full fee if an application is declined.

The fees from 28 August 2026

Govt.nz states: "From 28 August 2026, fees for all New Zealand citizenship products and services have increased." The page was last updated on 28 August 2026. Its figures, read on 9 October 2026, are:

  • Citizenship by grant, adult (aged 16 years and over): NZD 641.
  • Citizenship by grant, child (aged 15 years and under): NZD 320.
  • Citizenship by grant for a person born in Samoa before 1949 (a grant under section 7A): NZD 278.

The same page lists the neighbouring services, because people often confuse them with a grant. Registering citizenship by descent costs NZD 278 for an adult, NZD 525 if a passport is requested at the same time and NZD 772 for an urgent passport. For a child the descent figures are NZD 278, NZD 422 and NZD 669. A replacement citizenship certificate, a confirmation of citizenship by grant and several other certificate services cost NZD 153 each. Renouncing New Zealand citizenship costs NZD 542.

Two things are not in the fee. A New Zealand passport is a separate application made after citizenship is granted. And the citizenship test that DIA says will become a requirement for most grant applicants from late 2027 will probably carry its own charge on top of the application fee; the amount has not been decided (see the guide to the citizenship test).

DIA also explains what happens to the fee when an application does not succeed. A person who realises during assessment that they do not meet every requirement can withdraw and may get a partial refund. A person who proceeds and is declined gets no refund. Withdrawing does not stop a later application once the requirements are met; DIA contacts the applicant to explain the options.

Presence: the three rules DIA lists

DIA says: "Most people need to meet all 3 presence requirements to get citizenship." They are on the Presence in NZ requirements page. Children and people from Samoa have different rules, covered below.

The first rule is time as a resident. The applicant must have been living as a New Zealand resident for at least the last 5 years. A residence visa with conditions must have those conditions met or cancelled before applying. DIA's example is the Parent Category, where conditions can run for 5 or 10 years. Removing section 49(1) conditions means writing to Immigration New Zealand with a cover letter and passport copies for everyone included in the original resident visa application. DIA says there is no fee for removing section 49(1) conditions. A person who has held more than one kind of visa or permit in the five years can still apply as long as each one allowed them to live in New Zealand indefinitely. DIA adds that an Australian citizen or permanent resident can apply after living here for at least the last 5 years.

The second rule is days in New Zealand. DIA counts the five years backwards from the day of application and requires physical presence as a resident of:

  • at least 240 days in each 12-month period, and
  • 1,350 days across the 5 years.

DIA warns that a person might not meet this if they were out of New Zealand for longer than 4 months in any 12-month period (one long trip or many short ones), or were overseas for more than 15 months in total over the five years. Time overseas on Crown service for the New Zealand Government counts as time in New Zealand. DIA gives two worked examples. Ana applies on 17 March 2016, counts back five years and has never been out for more than 4 months in any 12-month period, so she meets the rule. Lukas applies in August 2016; four trips between August 2012 and August 2013 add up to more than 4 months out in one 12-month period, so he does not.

The third rule is intention. The applicant must intend to live in New Zealand once they are a citizen. DIA lists the exceptions for people who know they will live elsewhere: working overseas for the New Zealand Government, working for an international organisation of which New Zealand is a member (the United Nations is DIA's example), being employed by a person or organisation based in New Zealand, or accompanying a spouse or partner who is a New Zealand citizen on Crown service overseas. For a planned absence, DIA says the applicant is asked about travel plans for the next 12 months and may be asked to show New Zealand is home, for instance by a job, study, property or assets here.

Children and Samoan citizens

DIA's page on children says a child does not need to have spent a specific amount of time in New Zealand in the last five years if at least one parent or legal guardian is already a New Zealand citizen, or is applying for citizenship and meets the requirements. A child applying alone without a parent who is a citizen needs to have been in New Zealand with resident status for 8 months or more in each of the past five years.

The other requirements step up with age. Children aged 14 and 15 must have the right to live in New Zealand indefinitely, intend to stay, speak English and prove good character. Children aged 13 and under must have the right to live here indefinitely and intend to stay, and do not need to speak English or prove good character. A person aged 16 or over applies as an adult. For a child aged 15 or under applying online, one parent completes the parental consent section and an online identity check, and all parents must be told and consent; if another parent cannot be contacted or does not consent, the circumstances have to be explained, and a sole parent provides evidence such as a court order for sole legal guardianship, a birth certificate listing one parent or a death certificate for the other.

For Samoan citizens, DIA has a separate requirements page because the rules depend on when the person arrived or was born. A person born in Samoa before 1 January 1949 cannot use the online service and applies on a different form; one born on or after that date who speaks English can apply online. This guide does not cover the Samoan rules in detail.

The English requirement

The language rule is stated simply: an applicant must "hold a basic conversation in English". For someone whose first language is not English, DIA requires something with the application that proves they can speak English. The accepted documents are:

  • a school certificate;
  • a school report;
  • an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) form;
  • an employer reference letter;
  • a university academic record; or
  • a university certificate (bachelor's, diploma, master's or PhD).

DIA adds that a case officer who has any questions about someone's English might ask them to come in for an interview. If the officer does not think the English is good enough, they tell the person what they can do next. DIA's wording leaves the sufficiency of any one document to the case officer, so the page is the place to confirm what counts rather than a summary like this one. Children aged 13 and under, as set out above, do not have to speak English.

The character requirement

DIA's character page is the longest of the three and it matters because non-disclosure is treated seriously. Some points from it:

  • Traffic offences: parking tickets and speed camera fines are not a worry, but the Citizenship Office talks to the applicant if a police check shows 100 or more demerit points on a driver licence or a recent pattern of other fines or infringements in New Zealand or anywhere else.
  • Crimes and investigations: DIA says a person is "very unlikely to get citizenship" with charges pending in any country, a conviction in the last 3 years, any time in prison in the last 7 years, a prison sentence of more than 5 years at any time, or an undischarged protection order.
  • What must be declared on the application: any conviction (unless the Clean Slate scheme applies), being reviewed, investigated or having legal action taken by the New Zealand government, having to return money to the government, bankruptcy for fraud, a protection order, involvement in terrorism, chemical, biological, nuclear or radiological weapons, or war crimes and crimes against humanity.
  • If any of those apply, DIA says to write a letter explaining what happened and attach it with copies of records or documents.
  • Family violence: a victim does not need to provide any information. If police information shows a person was an aggressor, the Citizenship Office assesses the application first and then discusses what more is needed, which can include the applicant's view of the information, what they have done to address the behaviour and character references.
  • Time overseas: a person who lived in another country while holding a New Zealand resident visa might be asked for a police clearance from that country if they lived there more than 4 months in the last 3 years or more than 12 months in the last 12 years.

The page ends with a warning about omissions: "If you do not tell the Citizenship Office something and they find out later when they do their checks, you may not get citizenship." It adds that if the Citizenship Office finds out after citizenship has been granted, "it could be taken away from you." For how any of these rules apply to a particular history, DIA points to the New Zealand Citizenship Guidance Document or to the Citizenship Office, and a lawyer or licensed immigration adviser can look at the specifics.

Documents, referee and photo

DIA lists three things that must be included with every application: the full birth certificate or birth record, the current passport or travel document (or the most recent one if it has expired), and a photo taken less than 6 months ago that meets passport photo requirements. Selfies are not accepted. An online application takes one photo as a .jpeg file; a paper application takes two identical photos printed on photo-quality paper.

Online applications need an identity referee and paper or in-person applications need a witness. DIA's conditions for a referee are that they are aged 16 or over, hold a current or expired New Zealand passport, have known the applicant for at least 1 year or since birth, are not related to the applicant or part of the extended family, do not live at the same house, and consent to act. The applicant supplies the referee's full name, date of birth, email, contact number, residential address and New Zealand passport number, and DIA warns that if it cannot contact the referee the application may be delayed. A witness for a paper application must meet similar conditions and signs the back of one photo and the witness section of the form.

Other documents depend on the case. DIA lists a document showing a name change (a marriage or civil union certificate, name change document or divorce record), professional English translations where documents are not in English, and a certificate of identity or refugee travel document where a passport cannot be obtained. Digital copies for an online application must be in colour unless the original is black and white, clear, no larger than 10MB and in .pdf, .png or .jpeg format. Paper applicants must send originals, not copies, and DIA returns them by courier after about 4 to 6 weeks.

An online application also offers an optional identity check using a photo and a short video. DIA says that completing it means the applicant may not need to visit an office to verify identity in person.

Applying: online, in person or by post

Govt.nz lists three ways to apply. Online is the route DIA recommends for speed, with a card for the fee, a device with a camera for the identity check, an identity referee and digital copies of the documents ready. In person, an applicant books an appointment at one of three public counters (Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch), where a staff member checks the form and takes the fee. By post, the form, photos, original documents and payment go to the Department of Internal Affairs in Wellington, and the originals must travel in a tracked courier bag.

The forms are separate for an adult and for a child. People born in Samoa on or after 1 January 1949 can use the online service or a Samoan-language paper form.

DIA's "How to apply" page sets out seven steps: understand the types of citizenship (birth, descent and grant), check the requirements with the self-check tool, get documents ready, apply and pay, wait for an outcome, attend a ceremony and then apply for a passport. The page notes that New Zealand has no special rights for foreigners marrying New Zealanders: "you have to go through the same citizenship process as everyone else."

How long it takes, and what happens next

DIA gives two descriptions of timing and they are worth reading together. The "How to apply" page says: "It takes 3 to 14 months to find out if your application to become a New Zealand citizen has been approved." The separate Citizenship timeframes page, updated in October 2026, says that within 4 months of submitting their application 90% of applicants receive an outcome, and within 6 months 90% are granted citizenship. It also says the oldest applications DIA was starting to assess had been received in August 2026, so it cannot give status information on later ones. DIA says some applications go faster because parts of the assessment are automated, while others are slower when information is missing or has to come from overseas sources. It recommends applying online, meeting the requirements at the time of application, giving all supporting information and supplying a photo that meets the standards.

There is no urgent service. DIA says that "in rare circumstances" it may assess an application out of queue order, usually only where the situation is outside the applicant's control and there is no other option. Documented evidence must go to citizenship@dia.govt.nz. DIA lists the grounds it will consider (a medical emergency, representing New Zealand, work or deployment, standing for election and humanitarian reasons) and those it will not (financial reasons such as not wanting to pay for a visa from another country, a preference to travel on a New Zealand passport, or any other personal preference).

A person with an approved application is not yet a citizen. DIA states: "You are not a citizen until you have made your oath or affirmation at a citizenship ceremony." Ceremonies are run by local councils, usually within 2 to 5 months of approval, with an invitation about 4 weeks before. The ceremony must be attended within 1 year of approval. The applicant chooses in the application between an oath of allegiance (a religious statement) or an affirmation, and can make it in English or te reo Māori. Children aged 13 and under do not have to attend, nor does an existing citizen by descent. The certificate is handed over at the ceremony, and only then can a passport application begin.

If an application is declined, DIA says the Citizenship Office will say which requirements were not met and what the person can do to apply again. A review of a decision happens only if the person can show the Minister was given the wrong advice or not enough information, and the person can ask for the report that went to the Minister. There is also a right to complain to the Ombudsman.

When a requirement is not met

DIA has a short page for people who feel their situation is special. In rare cases the Minister of Internal Affairs might grant citizenship to someone who does not meet all the requirements, but DIA says "It is very difficult to get New Zealand citizenship if you do not meet the normal requirements." An applicant who cannot meet a requirement because of exceptional circumstances explains this in the application, which may then need more manual processing and take longer than the standard timeframes. A case officer assesses the situation, may ask for more information and may make a recommendation to the Minister; the final decision is the Minister's. If the Minister does not approve, there is no refund.

The Citizenship Office says it can give general information about exceptional circumstances but cannot assess a situation before an application is made. That gap between general information and an assessment is exactly where a lawyer or licensed immigration adviser comes in.

What changes from late 2027

Govt.nz says that "From late 2027, most people who apply for New Zealand citizenship by grant will have to pass a test to become a citizen." DIA's page says a person who has already applied, or who applies before the test becomes a requirement, does not need to sit it. The date has not been announced. The test changes how an applicant shows an understanding of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship, which is currently done by a declaration in the application, and it does not change the requirement itself. The guide to the citizenship test covers what DIA has confirmed so far.

The responsibilities and privileges are already published. DIA says a citizen is entitled to live in New Zealand indefinitely, travel on a New Zealand passport, vote, stand for Parliament or local government, have full access to education, have full economic and social rights, and represent New Zealand in sports. A citizen must obey and promote the laws of New Zealand, not act in a way against the interests of New Zealand, register on the electoral roll (voting is not compulsory but enrolling is), pay tax and behave as a responsible New Zealander.

Finding a licensed immigration adviser

Migratio lists licensed immigration advisers so you can compare them and contact one directly. Every listing shows the adviser's licence number, which you can check on the Immigration Advisers Authority's public register before you book. We don't assess cases and don't tell anyone which visa or pathway fits them; that is the adviser's job.

Questions people ask

How much does NZ citizenship cost in 2026?

From 28 August 2026 Govt.nz lists NZD 641 for citizenship by grant for an adult aged 16 and over and NZD 320 for a child aged 15 and under. Registering citizenship by descent is NZD 278 for an adult; the passport options cost more.

How many days must you be in New Zealand to apply for citizenship?

DIA's presence rule is at least 240 days in each 12-month period and 1,350 days across the 5 years counted back from the day of application, as a resident. DIA says being out of New Zealand for longer than 4 months in any 12-month period, or more than 15 months in total in the five years, might mean the rule is not met.

How long does NZ citizenship take?

DIA's timeframes page, updated in October 2026, says 90% of applicants receive an outcome within 4 months and 90% are granted within 6 months. The How to apply page says 3 to 14 months. A ceremony usually follows approval by 2 to 5 months.

Do you have to sit a citizenship test?

Not yet. DIA says that from late 2027 most people applying by grant will have to pass a test, but someone who applies before it becomes a requirement does not have to sit it. The exact start date has not been announced.

Is there an urgent citizenship service?

DIA says there is no urgent citizenship service. In rare circumstances outside the applicant's control it may assess an application out of queue order, and it will not approve a request for financial reasons or a preference to travel on a New Zealand passport.

Do you get a refund if citizenship is declined?

No. DIA says a person whose application is declined does not receive a refund. An applicant who realises during assessment that they do not meet every requirement can withdraw and may get a partial refund.

Sources

Last checked 2026-10-09.

Related guides

  • NZ Citizenship Test 2027: What Has Been Confirmed and What Has Not — DIA says that from late 2027 most people applying for New Zealand citizenship by grant will have to pass an in-person test of 20 multiple-choice questions, with at least 15 correct. Aspeq Limited was named as the provider on 7 October 2026; the start date, test locations and test fee have not been decided.
  • NZ Permanent Resident Visa: The 2-Year Rules and Five Commitment Tests — The Permanent Resident Visa is for people who have held a resident visa for at least 2 years in a row and can show commitment to New Zealand in one of five set ways, of which the 184-days-a-year test is only one. INZ showed NZD 315 and 80% within 2 weeks on 9 October 2026.
  • Moving to NZ From Australia: How the Rules for Australians Work — Immigration New Zealand grants an Australian Resident Visa at the New Zealand border for NZD 0 to Australian citizens and to permanent residents who hold an NZeTA. It lets the holder live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely, but Australian temporary residents are not eligible.
  • NZ Visa Processing Times: What INZ Publishes and How to Read It — Immigration New Zealand publishes processing times in two forms: an average wait time (50% of applications) and a most-completed-within figure (80%), in working days, updated weekly for applications processed in the last 4 weeks; and a separate 80% figure in its fee finder. On 9 October 2026 the two sources gave different numbers for some visas, so the source and date matter.
  • NZ Visa Fees 2026: The Main Visa Costs in One List — Immigration New Zealand's fee finder showed these main application costs on 9 October 2026: visitor visa NZD 441, AEWV 1,540, Fee Paying Student 850, Post-Study Work 1,670, residence under the Skilled Migrant, Straight to Residence and Work to Residence visas 6,450, and Partner of a New Zealander Resident 5,360. Each is a stated amount for the passports and places queried.